Top 30 prospects of the 2014 NHL draft

With the NHL draft upon us, we present to you the top 30 prospects according to respected independent scouting service HockeyProspect.com.

Along with each player's ranking is their position, hometown, club team and a pulled quote from HockeyProspect.com's comprehensive draft guide.

Click through the slideshow to see which potential future NHL star your team might snag in Friday's first round.

QMI Agency

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30. JAKUB VRANA, forward

Praha, Czech Republic / Sweden's Linkoping

"He can dazzle with the puck to beat defenders but will also make the simple chip play to put the puck past defenders and then use his speed to gain possession. He also has a lethal shot that is accurate."

REUTERS

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29. NIKOLAY GOLDOBIN, forward

Moskva, Russia / OHL's Sarnia Sting

"He has soft hands and a laser quick release on his shot. While his goal scoring ability seems to gain him the most attention, what's most impressive is his passing ability."

QMI Agency

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28. NICK SCHMALTZ, forward

Madison, Wis. / USHL's Green Bay Gamblers

"His skill level is truly elite. He does everything at top speed, and his top speed is every bit as fast as anyone in this draft, if not faster. He is extremely agile, can shift and change directions on a dime."

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27. JACK DOUGHERTY, defenceman

Cottage Grove, Minn. / USHL's USNDTP

"He has a good blend of offensive skill, hockey smarts, positioning, and physicality. He is a good skater. He plays with a calm, cool, and collected style."

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26. BRENDAN LEMIEUX, forward

Denver, Colo. / OHL's Barrie Colts

"He is definitely his father's son. He's the type of player that every team needs and opponents hate to play against. He'll take a hit to make a play and will dish out more than his fair share of punishment."

QMI Agency

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25. JARED McCANN, forward

Stratford, Ont. / OHL's Soo Greyhounds

"He has the ability to coast through several shifts, then turn it on and make a highlight reel play to create a goal. While his shot is powerful and effective, recently he has attempted to pass the puck more often."

QMI Agency

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24. ROBBY FABBRI, forward

Mississauga, Ont. / OHL's Guelph Storm

"He is constantly displaying a high level of offensive instincts, providing a threat to score whenever he is on the ice. He has one of the best sets of hands in tight in the draft class, often leaving both opponents and teammates in awe."

QMI Agency

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23. JULIUS HONKA, defenceman

Jyvaskyla, Finland / WHL's Swift Current Broncos

"He is a very productive and athletic offensive-minded defenseman. Combined with his tremendous skating ability and elite hockey sense, he is able to utilize his ability to read the play quickly and control the tempo of the game."

AFP

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22. CONNOR BLEACKLEY, forward

High River, Alta. / WHL's Red Deer Rebels

"He is a workhorse who consistently puts forward an excellent effort. He's a coach's dream as he is able to do whatever is needed for his team to win. He'll score key goals, win key faceoffs and kill off penalties."

QMI Agency

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21. ADRIAN KEMPE, forward

Kramsfor, Sweden / Sweden's Modo

"He is a smart player who competes hard in all three zones, playing a responsible game. He is also a strong kid and a good skater with a powerful stride. He has a decent shot but can struggle with consistency."

Modo Hockey

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20. BRENDAN PERLINI, forward

Shelby Township, Ont. / OHL's Niagara IceDogs

"He is able to beat defenders off the rush using his speed to his advantage. He has puck skills and is adept at protecting the puck. His shot is hard and accurate with a quick release."

QMI Agency

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19. KASPERI KAPANEN, forward

Kuopio, Finland / SM-liiga's KalPa

"He can control the play in the offensive zone and can also beat defenders 1-on-1, both coming off the boards and off the rush. When rushing the puck, he has displayed good vision and decision making skills. He showed he can pass the puck but he is very comfortable shooting."

AFP

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18. JAKE VIRTANEN, forward

New Westminster, B.C. / WHL's Calgary Hitmen

"He is an aggressive power forward who likes to make plays at top speed and always seems to be in overdrive. His strong stick-handling skills and speed allows him to control the puck though traffic and beat most defenders 1-on-1 on any given night."

QMI Agency

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17. DAVID PASTRNAK, forward

Havirov, Czech Republic / Sweden's Sodertalje

"He has fantastic hands and his stickhandling is up with the best in the draft class. At times he can try a few too many dangles, which leads to turnovers, but there is no denying his ability to control the puck on his stick."

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16. TRAVIS SANHEIM, defenceman

Brandon, Man. / WHL's Calgary Hitmen

"While he needs to fill out, he uses his length to his advantage in protecting the puck and his good mobility makes him a threat on the powerplay. He picks his spots well on when to pinch, when to carry the play up ice, etc."

QMI Agency

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15. KEVIN FIALA, forward

Uzwil, Switzlerand / Sweden's HV71

"He is a competitive player who doesn't back down from battling for pucks. He can be relentless in his puck pursuit at times. He brings that compete level along with a high hockey IQ to the offensive zone where he really shines."

AFP

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14. NIKITA SCHERBAK, forward

Moskva, Russia / WHL's Saskatoon Blades

"He is offensively savvy and possesses a good hockey IQ. He skates very upright and uses his body exceptionally well to protect the puck."

QMI Agency

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13. IVAN BARBASHEV, forward

Moskva, Russia / QMJHL's Moncton Wildcats

"He has a complete package of speed, skills and physical abilities. He is able to carry the puck effectively into the offensive zone quite easily. He's a strong skater with a low centre of gravity."

QMI Agency

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12. SONNY MILANO, forward

Massapequa, N.Y. / USHL's USNDTP

"He is a very intelligent player and reads the play in front of him exceptionally well. His complete control of his feet and edges is very impressive, and the result his ability to shift and change directions on a dime."

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11. ALEX TUCH, forward

Baldwinsville, N.Y. / USHL's USNTDP

"He is a rare blend of sheer, hulking size, speed, and skill. While skilled in his own right, he does a lot of the dirty work. He battles hard in the corners and in board battles for the puck, plays really hard on the forecheck and always is aggressive."

AFP

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10. HAYDN FLEURY, defenceman

Regina, Sask. / WHL's Red Deer Rebels

"He is a solid two-way defender with excellent speed and agility for a player of his size. He plays a mature defensive zone game where his speed, mobility and reach allow him to be able to maintain a tight gap when defending."

AFP

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9. DYLAN LARKIN, forward

Detroit, Mich. / USHL's USNTDP

"He possesses high-end skating ability with excellent speed and quick feet. He is a great puck handler and has superb vision, which enables him to be equally dangerous as a playmaker and goal scorer."

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8. WILLIAM NYLANDER, forward

Calgary, Alta. / Sweden's Modo

"He seems to thrive when he has the puck in the offensive zone with some space. He will circle the zone with the puck on a string inspecting his options. He has fantastic puck skills and combines them with his great skating ability."

AFP

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7. MICHAEL DAL COLLE, forward

Richmond Hill, Ont. / OHL's Oshawa Generals

"He controls the puck very well in traffic and is most effective in the offensive zone. He is capable of evading multiple checkers with good calm and patience and really doesn't seem to panic regardless of the pressure that is around him."

QMI Agency

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6. LEON DRAISAITL, forward

Koln, Germany / WHL's Prince Albert Raiders

"His play brings a consistent effort and his compete level is tremendous every night. He can dazzle you with his hands, crisp passes or his serious determination to make a difference in the defensive zone."

QMI Agency

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5. NICK RITCHIE, forward

Orangeville, Ont. / OHL's Peterborough Petes

"He has one of the best wrist shots in the draft -- it's hard and accurate with a quick release. He is also a smart hockey player. He reads plays all over the ice, has great hockey sense and anticipates developing plays quickly."

QMI Agency

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4. NIKOLAJ EHLERS, forward

Aalborg, Denmark / QMJHL's Halifax Mooseheads

"He is a fantastic skater, has an effortless stride and can gain his top speed in two or three strides. He has explosive skating abilities and is able to accelerate exceptionally well, always keeping his feet moving which helps him create space for himself and openings for his linemates."

QMI Agency

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3. AARON EKBLAD, defenceman

Belle River, Ont. / OHL's Barrie Colts

"His strides aren't always pretty, but they're powerful and he gets around the ice pretty well. Defensively, he uses his long reach, and an active stick to get in passing lanes and knock the puck off sticks."

QMI Agency

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2. SAM REINHART, forward

North Vancouver, B.C. / WHL's Kootenay Ice

"He has a very powerful release on his shot and has ideal positioning in the offensive zone, always finding some open ice and utilizing it to his advantage. He is capable of beating defenders 1-on-1 but isn't an overly flashy player."

QMI Agency

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1. SAM BENNETT, forward

Richmond Hill, Ont. / OHL's Kingston Frontenacs

"Sam is a smooth effortless skater who has decent size and provides a strong forecheck. He brings a little bit of a physical element and pressures opponents into mistakes."